Monday, July 21, 2008

Soups and Broths - Mouthwatering recipes from many different nations

For those of you who love soups and broth, here are some famous soups and broths from many different nations.

Scotch Broth Soup Recipe

Traditionally Scotch Broth is a bit of everything thrown into the pot and is quite a filling soup. In olden days Scots would eat this as a main meal. In modern times many Scottish households still serve Scotch Broth as a main meal rather than a starter soup. Ingredients can be substituted depending on your own tastes. It's best made the day before to allow the full flavour to soak through. We make a huge pot of it and boil it up each day, adding more tatties and water as needed. It is very warming when eaten during the winter and is popular on New Year’s Day. Scotch broth soup is sometimes called Barley Broth soup.

3. Melt a wee bit of lard/cooking oil and add the chopped onion. Once softened add the water and meat (you can just add stock rather than boil meat) and boil, skimming off any fatty deposits from the top.

4. After boiling for about half an hour add the barley and peas and simmer for another 30 minutes.

5. Add the remaining vegetables.

6. If used, remove the bone and strip off the meat and return this to the pot.

7. Give the dog the bone once it's cooled!

8. Add parsley before serving. Great with warmed bread rolls.

9. If making a big pot full it'll keep out provided you boil and stir each day.

Classic Jewish Chicken Soup

Makes a nice big pot of cure a cold, feel-good, Friday Night chicken soup. If you are looking for crisp veggies and a light, clear broth, this is not the recipe you want. Long cooking allows for the flavor of the veggies and chicken to really penetrate the broth (leaving the veggies quite soft), and keeping the cover off concentrates the flavors further. Add fine egg noodles or kreplach (Jewish meat dumplings) and you'll want to dive into the bowl! Enjoy!

2 Add all vegetables except for parsley & dill and allow to cook on medium to low heat, uncovered, until reduced by about half (2-3 hours). You may skim during the cooking or refrigerate the finished soup and remove the solidified fat.

3 Add parsley & dill and cook for 20 minutes, then remove the herbs and discard.

4 Season soup with salt & pepper or boullion powder to taste. If soup is too strong, add water. If it is too weak let it boil out longer (uncovered).

5 Remove from heat and allow to cool.

6 Remove the chicken and separate out the meat into bite sized pieces (shreds). Return the chicken pieces to the pot. Serve immediately or freeze.

Traditional Ecuadorian Soups

Soup is a necessary part of almost every Ecuadorian meal. The following recipes are quick to make and use staples of a typical Ecuadorian diet.

Quick Oatmeal Soup (Sopa de avena)Oatmeal is part of a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, rich with vitamins E and D, and other minerals such as zinc, copper, and iron. It is also a good source of soluble fiber. This quick soup recipe uses oatmeal in a tasty new way, and is easy to make.

1. Boil the broth and oatmeal in a large Dutch oven until thickened (depending on the altitude, this may take anywhere from 10-20 minutes).

2. Strain the soup. Toss the oatmeal pulp and put the broth into another pot. Add the cumin, color, salt and potatoes. Simmer 3-5 minutes longer or until potatoes are soft.

3. Serve immediately.

Easy Grated Plantain Soup (Rebanado de verde)

Plantains (sometimes referred to as cooking bananas) are common fare in Ecuadorian cuisine, used in place of potatoes or rice. Plantain soups are rich in potassium and vitamins B6 and C, as well as a good source of fiber.

1. Make the stock by combining the first 5 ingredients. Let boil for about 10-15 minutes.

2. While the stock boils, add the stale bread and 1-2 tbs of cubed cheese to each serving bowl. Set aside.

3. Add the milk and let simmer for another 5-10 minutes.

4. Just before serving, add a serving of the soup to a separate, smaller pot (about 2 cups). Over medium low heat, break an egg into the smaller pot and boil until just set (about 5 minutes). Keep the egg from sticking to the bottom of the pan by gently stirring the soup.

5. Once the egg is set, pour the contents of the smaller pot over the bread and cheese in the soup dish, trying not to break the egg yolk. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for each serving.

Traditional Greek Easter Soup

The main Easter meal (on Easter Sunday) has traditionally been an occasion to slaughter a lamb or goat, and this soup was designed to use the leftover parts so that nothing went to waste. This soup is prepared on Holy Saturday and eaten to break the fast after midnight church services. Traditionally, the soup is put on low heat to cook before leaving for church, and eaten on return. The recipe includes ingredients used in Greece.

FOR THE AVGOLEMONO (EGG-LEMON SAUCE)juice of 2 lemons3 eggs at room temperature, separated1 tablespoon of water

Preparation:Wash the organs and set aside to drain. Cut the intestines lengthwise with a scissors and clean well under running water. Rub them with coarse sea salt and the lemon juice, then clean again under running water. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the organs. Boil for about 3 minutes then add the intestines and boil for another 5 minutes. Drain and chop into small pieces.

Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot. Sauté the onion and green onion for 2-3 minutes. Add the meat and sauté until browned (a few minutes). Add dill, salt, pepper, and 10 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a slow boil and cook for 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Add the chopped lettuce to a large pot of boiling water and boil for 5 minutes. Transfer to a colander to drain. 40 minutes after the soup has been slow boiling, stir in the lettuce.

10 minutes before the end of cooking time, stir in the rice.

At the end of cooking time, remove the soup from the heat.

Make the avgolemono (egg-lemon sauce): Beat the egg whites until frothy. Continue beating and add the egg yolks, 1 tablespoon of water, the lemon juice and several large spoonfuls of the soup broth. The key is to beat continuously. Add mixture to the soup, stir, and cover the pot with a towel. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Next you want to microwave chppped carrot in 2 tbsp. of water for approx. 6 min.

Then microwave chopped celery in 2 tbs. of water for 4 min.

Add the vegetables into the large pot.

To this add sweet onion, celery, and the ketchup.

Now add the cocktail, chicken and vegetable broth, and the tomatoes.

Then add around 2 cans of water to the mixture.

Bring flame to medium, letting the mixture cook for around 20 min.

Now reduce to low for approx. 2 to 3 hrs.

Ladle into bowls and serve!

French Onion Soup

many recipes for French Onion soup skimp on the time to caramelize the onions, but the lengthy caramelization is what provides that amazing depth in a loving, patiently prepared, French Onion Soup.Keep an eye on your onions when cooking, if you notice there is too much liquid in the pan turn up the heat and make sure you dry them out a little otherwise they will boil instead of caramelize.

1 For the Soup:. 2 Cut of tops and bottoms of the onions, then cut the onions lengthwise in half. 3 Remove the peels and tough outer layers. Cut a V wedge in each one to remove the core. 4 Lay an onion half cut side down on a cutting board with the root end towards you. Note that there are lines on the outside of the onion. Cutting on the lines (with the grain) rather than against them will help the onions soften. 5 Melt the butter in a large heavy stockpot over a medium heat. 6 Add the onions and 1 tablespoon salt, and reduce the heat to low. 7 Cook stirring every 15 minutes and regulating the heat to keep the mixture bubbling gently, for about 1 hour, or until the onions have wilted and released a lot of liquid. 8 Continue to stir the onions every 15 minutes being sure to scrape the bottom and corners of the pot, for about 3 hours or until the onions are caramelized throughout. 9 Sift in the flour and cook over a medium-high heat, stirring for 2 to 3 minutes. 10 Add the beef stock, bring to a simmer, and simmer for about 1 hour. 11 Season to taste with salt, pepper.

12 For the Croutons:. 13 Preheat the broiler/grill. 14 Cut 12 3/8 inch thick slices from the baguette (reserve the remainder for another use) and place on a baking sheet. 15 Brush the bread lightly on both sides with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with salt. 16 Place under the broiler/grill and toast the first side until golden brown then turn and brown the second side. 17 Set aside and leave the broiler on.

18 To Complete:. 19 Place six flameproof soup bowls, with about 1 ½ cups capacity on a baking sheet to catch any spills. Add the hot soup to the bowls and lay the croutons on top. 20 Cover with Gruyere. 21 Place under the grill for a few minutes until the cheese bubbles, browns and forms a thick crust. 22 Eat carefully the soup will be very hot.

23 Cooks Note: One of the most unpleasant tasks associated with French Onion soup is chopping the mounds of onions required. I've found that if I wear my sunglasses, pushed as far up my nose as possible, the tears never really come. When sliced, onions produce a gas that mixes with your natural tears creating an acid very similar to sulfuric acid. By wearing the sunglasses so close to your eyes it doesn't allow the gas to get inches Works like a charm!

Acquacotta, the Stone Soup - Traditional Recipe from Tuscany

Though the famous popular Acquacotta soup has a very mysterious and unusual name, it is a well-known soup dish that originates from the Maremma area of Tuscany. The Italian name of this soup literally means “cooked water”.

Legend has it that the inventors of this dish, the herdsmen and coal men of Maremma, were accustomed to frequent journeys, and thus normally traveled with stale bread, dried meat, oil, garlic, onion, and a few herbs, in order to prepare acquacotta.

Pour the oil into a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add the onions, peas, fava beans, carrot, celery, chili pepper, and a dash of salt.

Sauté for about 10 minutes until tender and lightly browned. Add the chard or spinach and the tomatoes and simmer for 15 minutes.

Pour in the boiling water and leave to simmer gently for 40 minutes, adding more salt if necessary.

Using a fork or balloon whisk, beat the eggs with salt, pepper, and the grated Parmigiano or pecorino cheese.

Toast the bread and when golden brown, rub both sides of each slice with the garlic. Place a slice in each soup bowl or in individual straight-sided earthenware dishes, and pour a quarter of the beaten egg mixture over each serving.

Give the soup a final stir and then ladle into the bowls. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and add a pinch of pepper.

Feta Haroof wa Khubz(Lamb and Bread Soup)

Egyptian recipe can be eaten as a main course.

Serves 6

1 1/2 pound lean lamb meat without bones

2 medium onions, chopped fine

Fresh ground black pepper

6 cups plus 3/4 c. water, divided

1/2 cup rice

1/4 c. plus 2 Tablespoons ghee or butter, separated

3 large cloves garlic, crushed

1/4 c. wine vinegar

2 rounds flat bread, toasted

Cut lamb into 1 inch cubes and place in a large pot with 6 cups of the water. Bring slowly to a boil, skimming occasionally. Add onion, salt and pepper. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours or until meat is tender yet not falling apart. Meanwhile wash and drain the rice. In a medium saucepan boil one cup of water add 1 Tablespoon of ghee and 1/2 teaspoon of salt, than the rice. Bring back to a boil, stirring occasionally. Cover and simmer over low heat 15-20 minutes until tender.

Using a slotted spoon remove meat from cooking liquid. In a separate skillet melt 1 Tablespoon of ghee, add the meat and fry it a few minutes. Remove from heat. Set aside and keep it warm.

In the same frying pan used for the meat melt 1/4 cup of ghee over medium high heat. Add the garlic and sauté until it begins to take on color. Remove skillet from heat. Stir vinegar into the skillet. Return to heat and boil a few seconds. Set this mixture aside.

Place 1 round of toasted khoudiz in a large casserole or soup tureen. Spoon some of the garlic mixture over the bread then add half of the cooked rice. Pour some of the soup broth over top of this. Place second round of toasted bread then the remaining rice. Place fried lamb cubes on top the fried lamb. Top this off with the remaining garlic mixture.

Note: adding a clove to boiling water will help to cover the aroma of boiling lamb if desired

Moroccan Spiced Soup (Harira) - Vegetarian versionThis is a simplified vegetarian adaptation of the classical Moroccan soup, Harira, which is often served in the evening as a fast-breaker (buka puasa in Malay, iftar in Arabic) during Ramadan. The version commonly served in Moroccan households usually contains lamb or chicken.

To serve, 1 French loaf (baguette) sliced and toastedSpicy garlic mayonnaise or aioli

ProcedureGently heat the oil in a pan, then add the green part of the leeks, the coriander and the chilli, and cook for 5 minutes

Add the potatoes and tomatoes and pour in the stock and wine. Add the bay leaf, star anise, orange rind and saffron.

Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and part-cover the pan. Simmer for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

Cut the fish into chunks. Cut the squid sacs into rectangles and score a criss-cross pattern into them without cutting right through.

Add the fish to the stew and cook gently for 4 minutes. Add the prawns and cook for 1 minute. Add the squid and the shredded white part of the leek and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes. Do not overcook or the squid will be tough.

Stir in the chopped parsley and serve with the toasted French bread and spicy garlic mayonnaise/aioli.

HAhaha - Lucky girl,Fortunately we don't have to put any sweden national in the soup pot - like you said couldn't find one that big anyway:)I checked the dictionary -A swede is " Chiefly British. a rutabaga"

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About Me

I'm a homemaker with four kids. I enjoy spending time with my children and playing with them. I love to read, mostly thrillers and romantic ones. I enjoy cooking and baking. I also like to create cards whenever I'm free.